About BASC
Board of Directors & Staff
Committees
Introduction
The Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC) is a not-for-profit organization based in Barrow, Alaska that is dedicated to the encouragement of research and educational activities pertaining to Alaska’s North Slope and the adjacent portions of the Arctic Ocean. The BASC was organized in 1995 as a way for three local organizations and other interested persons to work together in support of arctic science. The three Barrow based organizations contributing to the formation and support of BASC are as follows:
The North Slope Borough (the regional government for Alaska’s North Slope)
The Ukpeagvik Iņupiat Corporation (a corporation owned by the Native people of Barrow, founded under authority of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), and
Ilisagvik College (the local center for post-secondary education).
The Barrow Arctic Science Consortium is governed by a nine member Board of Directors with representatives from the North Slope Borough government (2), the Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation (3), Ilisagvik College (2), one elder from the Barrow community, and one person representing U.S. governmental science programs that have physical facilities or activities in the Barrow area.
Objectives
To encourage research and educational activities pertaining to Alaska’s North Slope and adjacent portions of the Arctic Ocean.
To manage the Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) in a manner that will encourage its use by scientists, educators and others interested in better understanding natural processes in the Arctic.
To assist scientists in establishing and conducting research projects in the BEO and surrounding terrestrial and marine areas.
To facilitate the two way transfer of information between scientists and the people of Alaska’s North Slope.
Barrow Environmental Observatory
The Barrow Environmental Observatory (BEO) includes 7,466 acres of tundra near Barrow that have been set aside for research and educational purposes by the landowner, the Ukpeagvik Iņupiat Corporation (UIC). The Barrow Arctic Science Consortium has been chosen by UIC to manage the BEO and to facilitate its use for research and educational purposes.
Facilitating Research and Education
BASC stands ready to assist scientists interested in establishing study programs in or near the BEO, or at any other location on the North Slope. BASC personnel are skilled in assisting with permitting and other dealings with landowners. BASC provides and/or can make arrangements for the logistical support of science (housing, dining facilities, laboratory space, information technology, trucks, snow machines, ATVs, two-way radios, arctic clothing, boats, aircraft, guides, etc.). BASC can also assist investigators by collecting selected data over a long period and by maintaining long-term monitoring equipment.
The Barrow Arctic Science Consortium is also committed to helping scientists interact with the local community and in transferring knowledge between researchers and the people of the North Slope. Facilitating this transfer of information and managing the Barrow Environmental Observatory are both functions of the Barrow Arctic Science Consortium, through a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. Avenues for such information exchanges include the local public radio station (KBRW), local cable television, the North Slope Borough School District, Ilisagvik College, the local newspaper, public meetings, and through local Native organizations such as the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), the Arctic Slope Native Association (ASNA), and the UIC Science Division.
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